diff --git a/bin/ansible-connection b/bin/ansible-connection
index 073de82af57..84fdc06fb0c 100755
--- a/bin/ansible-connection
+++ b/bin/ansible-connection
@@ -178,11 +178,11 @@ class Server():
             display.display('shutdown local socket, connection was active for %s secs' % delta, log_only=True)
 
     def connect_timeout(self, signum, frame):
-        display.display('connect timeout triggered, timeout value is %s secs' % C.PERSISTENT_CONNECT_TIMEOUT, log_only=True)
+        display.display('persistent connection idle timeout triggered, timeout value is %s secs' % C.PERSISTENT_CONNECT_TIMEOUT, log_only=True)
         self.shutdown()
 
     def command_timeout(self, signum, frame):
-        display.display('commnad timeout triggered, timeout value is %s secs' % self.play_context.timeout, log_only=True)
+        display.display('command timeout triggered, timeout value is %s secs' % self.play_context.timeout, log_only=True)
         self.shutdown()
 
     def handler(self, signum, frame):
@@ -214,6 +214,7 @@ class Server():
 
     def do_EXEC(self, data):
         cmd = data.split(b'EXEC: ')[1]
+        display.display('Command executed: %s' % cmd, log_only=True)
         return self.connection.exec_command(cmd)
 
     def do_PUT(self, data):
@@ -352,17 +353,17 @@ def main():
 
         sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_UNIX, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
 
-        attempts = C.PERSISTENT_CONNECT_RETRIES
-        while bool(attempts):
+        connect_retry_timeout = C.PERSISTENT_CONNECT_RETRY_TIMEOUT
+        while bool(connect_retry_timeout):
             try:
                 sock.connect(socket_path)
                 break
             except socket.error:
-                time.sleep(C.PERSISTENT_CONNECT_INTERVAL)
-                attempts -= 1
+                time.sleep(1)
+                connect_retry_timeout -= 1
         else:
-            display.display('number of connection attempts exceeded, unable to connect to control socket', pc.remote_addr, pc.remote_user, log_only=True)
-            display.display('persistent_connect_interval=%s, persistent_connect_retries=%s' % (C.PERSISTENT_CONNECT_INTERVAL, C.PERSISTENT_CONNECT_RETRIES), pc.remote_addr, pc.remote_user, log_only=True)
+            display.display('connect retry timeout expired, unable to connect to control socket', pc.remote_addr, pc.remote_user, log_only=True)
+            display.display('persistent_connect_retry_timeout is %s secs' % (C.PERSISTENT_CONNECT_RETRY_TIMEOUT), pc.remote_addr, pc.remote_user, log_only=True)
             sys.stderr.write('failed to connect to control socket')
             sys.exit(255)
 
diff --git a/docs/docsite/rst/network_debug_troubleshooting.rst b/docs/docsite/rst/network_debug_troubleshooting.rst
index 4fa23311389..1bd6a2fe682 100644
--- a/docs/docsite/rst/network_debug_troubleshooting.rst
+++ b/docs/docsite/rst/network_debug_troubleshooting.rst
@@ -166,7 +166,6 @@ or:
        "changed": false,
        "failed": true,
        "msg": "unable to open shell",
-       "rc": 255
    }
 
 Suggestions to resolve:
@@ -301,8 +300,8 @@ For example:
    2017-04-04 12:19:05,670 p=18591 u=fred |  using connection plugin network_cli
    2017-04-04 12:19:06,606 p=18591 u=fred |  connecting to host veos01 returned an error
    2017-04-04 12:19:06,606 p=18591 u=fred |  No authentication methods available
-   2017-04-04 12:19:35,708 p=18591 u=fred |  number of connection attempts exceeded, unable to connect to control socket
-   2017-04-04 12:19:35,709 p=18591 u=fred |  persistent_connect_interval=1, persistent_connect_retries=30
+   2017-04-04 12:19:35,708 p=18591 u=fred |  connect retry timeout expired, unable to connect to control socket
+   2017-04-04 12:19:35,709 p=18591 u=fred |  persistent_connect_retry_timeout is 15 secs
 
 
 Suggestions to resolve:
@@ -328,16 +327,62 @@ Timeout issues
 
 Timeouts
 --------
+Persistent connection idle timeout:
 
-All network modules support a timeout value that can be set on a per task
-basis.  The timeout value controls the amount of time in seconds before the
+For example:
+
+.. code-block:: yaml
+
+   2017-04-04 12:19:05,670 p=18591 u=fred |  persistent connection idle timeout triggered, timeout value is 30 secs
+
+Suggestions to resolve:
+
+Increase value of presistent connection idle timeout.
+.. code-block:: yaml
+
+   export ANSIBLE_PERSISTENT_CONNECT_TIMEOUT=60
+
+To make this a permanent change, add the following to your ``ansible.cfg`` file:
+
+.. code-block:: ini
+
+   [persistent_connection]
+   connect_timeout = 60
+
+Command timeout:
+For example:
+
+.. code-block:: yaml
+
+   2017-04-04 12:19:05,670 p=18591 u=fred |  command timeout triggered, timeout value is 10 secs
+
+Suggestions to resolve:
+
+Options 1:
+Increase value of command timeout in configuration file or by setting enviornment variable.
+Note: This value should be less than persistent connection idle timeout ie. connect_timeout
+
+.. code-block:: yaml
+
+   export ANSIBLE_PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT=30
+
+To make this a permanent change, add the following to your ``ansible.cfg`` file:
+
+.. code-block:: ini
+
+   [persistent_connection]
+   command_timeout = 30
+
+Option 2:
+Increase command timeout per task basis. All network modules support a
+timeout value that can be set on a per task basis.
+The timeout value controls the amount of time in seconds before the
 task will fail if the command has not returned.
 
 For example:
 
 .. FIXME: Detail error here
 
-
 Suggestions to resolve:
 
 .. code-block:: yaml
@@ -353,6 +398,33 @@ example is saving the current running config on IOS devices to startup config.
 In this case, changing the timeout value form the default 10 seconds to 30
 seconds will prevent the task from failing before the command completes
 successfully.
+Note: This value should be less than persistent connection idle timeout ie. connect_timeout
+
+Persistent socket connect timeout:
+For example:
+
+.. code-block:: yaml
+
+   2017-04-04 12:19:35,708 p=18591 u=fred |  connect retry timeout expired, unable to connect to control socket
+   2017-04-04 12:19:35,709 p=18591 u=fred |  persistent_connect_retry_timeout is 15 secs
+
+Suggestions to resolve:
+
+Increase value of presistent connection idle timeout.
+Note: This value should be greater than SSH timeout ie. timeout value under defaults
+section in configuration file and less than the value of the persistent
+connection idle timeout (connect_timeout)
+
+.. code-block:: yaml
+
+   export ANSIBLE_PERSISTENT_CONNECT_RETRY_TIMEOUT=30
+
+To make this a permanent change, add the following to your ``ansible.cfg`` file:
+
+.. code-block:: ini
+
+   [persistent_connection]
+   connect_retry_timeout = 30
 
 
 
@@ -403,7 +475,6 @@ For example:
       "changed": false,
       "failed": true,
      "msg": "unable to enter configuration mode",
-      "rc": 255
   }
 
 Suggestions to resolve:
@@ -461,8 +532,8 @@ Add `authorize: yes` to the task. For example:
    .. code-block:: yaml
    
      less $ANSIBLE_LOG_PATH
-     2017-03-10 15:32:06,173 p=19677 u=fred |  number of connection attempts exceeded, unable to connect to control socket
-     2017-03-10 15:32:06,174 p=19677 u=fred |  persistent_connect_interval=1, persistent_connect_retries=10
+     2017-03-10 15:32:06,173 p=19677 u=fred |  connect retry timeout expired, unable to connect to control socket
+     2017-03-10 15:32:06,174 p=19677 u=fred |  persistent_connect_retry_timeout is 15 secs
      2017-03-10 15:32:06,222 p=19669 u=fred |  fatal: [veos01]: FAILED! => {
    
    Suggestions to resolve:
diff --git a/examples/ansible.cfg b/examples/ansible.cfg
index 674c5d3333c..d6892b2bac0 100644
--- a/examples/ansible.cfg
+++ b/examples/ansible.cfg
@@ -400,20 +400,21 @@
 # Configures the persistent connection timeout value in seconds.  This value is
 # how long the persistent connection will remain idle before it is destroyed.  
 # If the connection doesn't receive a request before the timeout value 
-# expires, the connection is shutdown.  The default value is 30 seconds.
+# expires, the connection is shutdown. The default value is 30 seconds.
 #connect_timeout = 30
 
-# Configures the persistent connection retries.  This value configures the
-# number of attempts the ansible-connection will make when trying to connect
-# to the local domain socket.  The default value is 30.
-#connect_retries = 30
+# Configures the persistent connection retry timeout.  This value configures the
+# the retry timeout that ansible-connection will wait to connect
+# to the local domain socket. This value must be larger than the
+# ssh timeout (timeout) and less than persistent connection idle timeout (connect_timeout).
+# The default value is 15 seconds.
+#connect_retry_timeout = 15
 
-# Configures the amount of time in seconds to wait between connection attempts 
-# to the local unix domain socket.  This value works in conjunction with the
-# connect_retries value to define how long to try to connect to the local
-# domain socket when setting up a persistent connection.  The default value is
-# 1 second.
-#connect_interval = 1
+# The command timeout value defines the amount of time to wait for a command
+# or RPC call before timing out. The value for the command timeout must
+# be less than the value of the persistent connection idle timeout (connect_timeout)
+# The default value is 10 second.
+#command_timeout = 10
 
 [accelerate]
 #accelerate_port = 5099
diff --git a/lib/ansible/config/data/config.yml b/lib/ansible/config/data/config.yml
index a4a2f9753da..cc04be2bf23 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/config/data/config.yml
+++ b/lib/ansible/config/data/config.yml
@@ -1323,15 +1323,6 @@ PARAMIKO_RECORD_HOST_KEYS:
   value_type: boolean
   vars: []
   yaml: {key: paramiko_connection.record_host_keys}
-PERSISTENT_CONNECT_INTERVAL:
-  default: 1
-  desc: 'TODO: write it'
-  env: [{name: ANSIBLE_PERSISTENT_CONNECT_INTERVAL}]
-  ini:
-  - {key: connect_interval, section: persistent_connection}
-  value_type: integer
-  vars: []
-  yaml: {key: persistent_connection.connect_interval}
 PERSISTENT_CONTROL_PATH_DIR:
   default: ~/.ansible/pc
   desc: 'TODO: write it'
@@ -1340,15 +1331,6 @@ PERSISTENT_CONTROL_PATH_DIR:
   - {key: control_path_dir, section: persistent_connection}
   vars: []
   yaml: {key: persistent_connection.control_path_dir}
-PERSISTENT_CONNECT_RETRIES:
-  default: 30
-  desc: 'TODO: write it'
-  env: [{name: ANSIBLE_PERSISTENT_CONNECT_RETRIES}]
-  ini:
-  - {key: connect_retries, section: persistent_connection}
-  value_type: integer
-  vars: []
-  yaml: {key: persistent_connection.connect_retries}
 PERSISTENT_CONNECT_TIMEOUT:
   default: 30
   desc: 'TODO: write it'
@@ -1358,6 +1340,24 @@ PERSISTENT_CONNECT_TIMEOUT:
   value_type: integer
   vars: []
   yaml: {key: persistent_connection.connect_timeout}
+PERSISTENT_CONNECT_RETRY_TIMEOUT:
+  default: 15
+  desc: 'TODO: write it'
+  env: [{name: ANSIBLE_PERSISTENT_CONNECT_RETRY_TIMEOUT}]
+  ini:
+  - {key: connect_retry_timeout, section: persistent_connection}
+  value_type: integer
+  vars: []
+  yaml: {key: persistent_connection.connect_retry_timeout}
+PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT:
+  default: 10
+  desc: 'TODO: write it'
+  env: [{name: ANSIBLE_PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT}]
+  ini:
+  - {key: command_timeout, section: persistent_connection}
+  value_type: integer
+  vars: []
+  yaml: {key: persistent_connection.command_timeout}
 RETRY_FILES_ENABLED:
   default: True
   desc: This controls whether a failed Ansible playbook should create a .retry file.
diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/aireos.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/aireos.py
index 972f4734e15..7395456c6a5 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/aireos.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/aireos.py
@@ -43,9 +43,7 @@ aireos_argument_spec = {
 }
 
 # Add argument's default value here
-ARGS_DEFAULT_VALUE = {
-    'timeout': 10
-}
+ARGS_DEFAULT_VALUE = {}
 
 
 def sanitize(resp):
diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/aruba.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/aruba.py
index 4b97d990531..4c99757a969 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/aruba.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/aruba.py
@@ -38,14 +38,12 @@ aruba_argument_spec = {
     'username': dict(fallback=(env_fallback, ['ANSIBLE_NET_USERNAME'])),
     'password': dict(fallback=(env_fallback, ['ANSIBLE_NET_PASSWORD']), no_log=True),
     'ssh_keyfile': dict(fallback=(env_fallback, ['ANSIBLE_NET_SSH_KEYFILE']), type='path'),
-    'timeout': dict(type='int', default=10),
+    'timeout': dict(type='int'),
     'provider': dict(type='dict')
 }
 
 # Add argument's default value here
-ARGS_DEFAULT_VALUE = {
-    'timeout': 10
-}
+ARGS_DEFAULT_VALUE = {}
 
 
 def get_argspec():
diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/junos.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/junos.py
index e8eeda2e207..8a6ed1e2c8e 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/junos.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/junos.py
@@ -50,9 +50,7 @@ junos_argument_spec = {
 }
 
 # Add argument's default value here
-ARGS_DEFAULT_VALUE = {
-    'timeout': 10
-}
+ARGS_DEFAULT_VALUE = {}
 
 
 def get_argspec():
diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/nxos.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/nxos.py
index 285f326f64e..1ab35482df9 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/nxos.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/nxos.py
@@ -57,8 +57,7 @@ nxos_argument_spec = {
 
 # Add argument's default value here
 ARGS_DEFAULT_VALUE = {
-    'transport': 'cli',
-    'timeout': 10
+    'transport': 'cli'
 }
 
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/aireos.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/aireos.py
index 8fcfc09479a..7fd97888650 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/aireos.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/aireos.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
 from ansible.module_utils.aireos import aireos_argument_spec
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         pc.port = provider['port'] or self._play_context.port or 22
         pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
-        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
 
         display.vvv('using connection plugin %s' % pc.connection, pc.remote_addr)
         connection = self._shared_loader_obj.connection_loader.get('persistent', pc, sys.stdin)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/aruba.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/aruba.py
index ee1d6a8688a..998b8f99a11 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/aruba.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/aruba.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
 from ansible.module_utils.aruba import aruba_argument_spec
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
         pc.private_key_file = provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
 
         display.vvv('using connection plugin %s' % pc.connection, pc.remote_addr)
         connection = self._shared_loader_obj.connection_loader.get('persistent', pc, sys.stdin)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/asa.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/asa.py
index 3a9eff55792..9cbd342c0d3 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/asa.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/asa.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import sys
 import copy
 import json
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
 from ansible.module_utils.asa import asa_argument_spec
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
         pc.private_key_file = provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
         pc.become = provider['authorize'] or False
         pc.become_pass = provider['auth_pass']
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ce.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ce.py
index e3d1d57dcb8..c496702d534 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ce.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ce.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 from ansible.module_utils.six import iteritems
 from ansible.module_utils.ce import ce_argument_spec
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
             pc.port = int(provider['port']) or int(self._play_context.port) or 22
             pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
             pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
-            pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+            pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
             self._task.args['provider'] = provider.update(
                 host=pc.remote_addr,
                 port=pc.port,
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos10.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos10.py
index b58cf154156..ec0ddd35b4b 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos10.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos10.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 from ansible.module_utils.six import iteritems
 from ansible.module_utils.dellos10 import dellos10_argument_spec
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
         pc.private_key_file = provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
         pc.become = provider['authorize'] or False
         pc.become_pass = provider['auth_pass']
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos6.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos6.py
index 85c1d638b37..d673602a22e 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos6.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos6.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 from ansible.module_utils.six import iteritems
 from ansible.module_utils.dellos6 import dellos6_argument_spec
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
         pc.private_key_file = provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
         pc.become = provider['authorize'] or False
         pc.become_pass = provider['auth_pass']
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos9.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos9.py
index 795043d1421..106e8254332 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos9.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/dellos9.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 from ansible.module_utils.six import iteritems
 from ansible.module_utils.dellos9 import dellos9_argument_spec
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
         pc.private_key_file = provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
         pc.become = provider['authorize'] or False
         pc.become_pass = provider['auth_pass']
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/eos.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/eos.py
index 3645ad7c47a..6e453980ad7 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/eos.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/eos.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
 from ansible.module_utils.eos import ARGS_DEFAULT_VALUE, eos_argument_spec
 from ansible.module_utils.six import iteritems
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
             pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
             pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
             pc.private_key_file = provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-            pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+            pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
             pc.become = provider['authorize'] or False
             pc.become_pass = provider['auth_pass']
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ios.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ios.py
index ec6c5480987..afedc8a50cb 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ios.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/ios.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
 from ansible.module_utils.ios import ios_argument_spec
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
         pc.private_key_file = provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
         pc.become = provider['authorize'] or False
         pc.become_pass = provider['auth_pass']
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr.py
index 28d81e209cd..84cf3e653ea 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
 from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import iosxr_argument_spec
 from ansible.module_utils.six import iteritems
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         pc.port = provider['port'] or self._play_context.port or 22
         pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
-        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
 
         display.vvv('using connection plugin %s' % pc.connection, pc.remote_addr)
         connection = self._shared_loader_obj.connection_loader.get('persistent', pc, sys.stdin)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/junos.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/junos.py
index 83f555d6245..fd3e709e050 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/junos.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/junos.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
 from ansible.module_utils.junos import junos_argument_spec
 from ansible.module_utils.six import iteritems
@@ -68,7 +69,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
         pc.private_key_file = provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
 
         display.vvv('using connection plugin %s' % pc.connection, pc.remote_addr)
         connection = self._shared_loader_obj.connection_loader.get('persistent', pc, sys.stdin)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/net_base.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/net_base.py
index 6abe1590a8c..510063a332f 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/net_base.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/net_base.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action import ActionBase
 from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
 from ansible.module_utils.six import iteritems
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
         play_context.remote_user = self.provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         play_context.password = self.provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
         play_context.private_key_file = self.provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-        play_context.timeout = self.provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        play_context.timeout = self.provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
         if 'authorize' in self.provider.keys():
             play_context.become = self.provider['authorize'] or False
             play_context.become_pass = self.provider['auth_pass']
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/nxos.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/nxos.py
index 7b82f0ea07d..dbc9f449dde 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/nxos.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/nxos.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
 from ansible.module_utils.nxos import nxos_argument_spec
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
             pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
             pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
             pc.private_key_file = provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-            pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+            pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
             self._task.args['provider'] = provider.update(
                 host=pc.remote_addr,
                 port=pc.port,
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/sros.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/sros.py
index 8b1b45b5597..0e0709036f6 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/sros.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/sros.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 from ansible.module_utils.sros import sros_argument_spec
 from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
         pc.private_key_file = provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
 
         display.vvv('using connection plugin %s' % pc.connection, pc.remote_addr)
         connection = self._shared_loader_obj.connection_loader.get('persistent', pc, sys.stdin)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/vyos.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/vyos.py
index 2af967dd6ef..3e9eb1106df 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/vyos.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/vyos.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 import sys
 import copy
 
+from ansible import constants as C
 from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
 from ansible.module_utils.six import iteritems
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
         pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
         pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
         pc.private_key_file = provider['ssh_keyfile'] or self._play_context.private_key_file
-        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or self._play_context.timeout
+        pc.timeout = provider['timeout'] or C.PERSISTENT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT
 
         display.vvv('using connection plugin %s' % pc.connection, pc.remote_addr)
         connection = self._shared_loader_obj.connection_loader.get('persistent', pc, sys.stdin)